Welcome back!

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break! It was nice to have some time to rest, and now that we've returned, it suddenly feels like spring. Here's the latest first grade news:

• First grade will be taking the Stanford and Otis-Lennon tests during the weeks of April 4-8 and April 11-15. We have been reviewing and preparing in our classroom, and a review packet will be coming home today for homework. Please look for the Stanford Homework Practice Packet in your child's red folder today with instructions and helpful tips attached. These packets will be due back to school completed by April 1st. Thank you for helping to prepare your first grader for success!
• This week's challenge words are matter (since we're beginning our science unit on matter, mass, force, and motion this week) and computer.
• The word slicker appears on our spelling list this week on Spelling City. I have decided to teach sticker instead.
• The next two weeks will be spent on our science unit, then we will begin our unit on poetry, since April in National Poetry Month. This unit concludes with our poetry program, Coffee House Poetry, that all parents and family members are invited to attend. Please save the date for April 28th, 2011 at 2:30 in the afternoon for this exciting event. I will be sending out additional information as that date gets closer.
• Thank you for sending in your Box Tops!
• I finally figured out how to add Word documents to our blog! Spelling lists and flash cards are now up in the Study Tools section of our blog, and they can be enlarged to view and print.

***Important Dates***

April 1-Stanford Review Packets due back to school

April 5-14-Stanford Testing

Friday, April 22-No School

Monday, April 25-Snow day make-up.

Thursday, April 28-Coffee House Poetry Program at 2:30

Thank you so much for all you do at home to support your child's learning!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Eckhardt